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[Bobidy]

Hi

I've just read this article and thought you might find it interesting. It's a bit wordy but the conclusion does indicate that hrt is good for dementia

https://d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/374/Matyi%202019_Lifetime%20estrogen%20exposure%20and%20cognition%20in%20late%20life_the%20Cache%20County%20Study.pdf

[yellowflower]

I think when it comes to HRT, you have to weigh up risk-v-benefit. I have been a lifetime migraine sufferer, so I definitely wont be going down the HRT route. However, I am 54 and very new to menopause, so I haven't suffered too many symptoms. A very close friend had a mammogram a year after starting HRT and now has a very aggressive breast cancer to contend with. Prior to HRT, she had all negative mammograms. I know that one bad diagnosis doesn't form a pattern, but her specialist put the blame squarely on the HRT.

I Had a hysterectomy 18 months ago as I had a 16mm thickened uterine lining caused by a lack of progesterone. I did not want an IUD inserted and I certainly did not want to take progesterone every day, so I elected hysterectomy along with prolapse repairs. I try very hard to keep on top of health issues by keeping my weight down and eating a healthy diet rather than via medication.

[yellowflower]

We've discussed risk v benefit a lot on the forum over the years yellowflower so if you'd like to learn more do a search.  However, if you've definitely decided against HRT then perhaps you won't be all that interested?

Its very unfortunate for your friend but no-one should be put off taking HRT for its numerous benefits just because of a friend's experience.

I also have extensive medical family and I guess if the risk is cancer v feeling better, I would not take that risk. There is just too much evidence out there that would put me off hormones, especially since I had a pituitary tumour for 15 years and I also am a migraineur with a dual family history. Our family in general does not carry a high cancer risk. We have only had one immediate family member with cancer and that was mum. She had bowel cancer and was extremely lucky that they caught it early. There has  never been breast or ovarian cancer in any of the women. However, I understand the risks and it's not a risk I am prepared to take.

[sheila99]

It just shows how different we are and how we view relative risks. There's no way I'd have a hysterectomy when I could have had an iud instead, I'd consider the hysterectomy to be a far higher risk.

IMO the specialist was wrong to blame hrt as it's impossible to know. Many women not on HRT also get it. If she was on transdermal rather than oral hrt the increased risk is small.

[Bobidy]

Yes, no size fits all.

I recently had a hysterectomy due to fibroid heavy bleeds and anemia for the last 8 years. Peri meant I wanted to start hrt but I didn't want the oestrogen to grow the fibroid. A hysterectomy has been the very best choice for me, and in turn the oestrogen only hrt gives me a lower risk of breast cancer. Plus I don't get the grotty side effects of progesterone.

I also need the osteoporosis protection of hrt and the cardio, diabetes and cognitive protection is a bonus.

There is also evidence that hrt protects against bowel cancer.

Trying to gauge risks against benefits is so difficult and I think if anything happens we will always blame the hrt but will never really know. X

[yellowflower]

Yes, no size fits all.

I recently had a hysterectomy due to fibroid heavy bleeds and anemia for the last 8 years. Peri meant I wanted to start hrt but I didn't want the oestrogen to grow the fibroid. A hysterectomy has been the very best choice for me, and in turn the oestrogen only hrt gives me a lower risk of breast cancer. Plus I don't get the grotty side effects of progesterone.

I also need the osteoporosis protection of hrt and the cardio, diabetes and cognitive protection is a bonus.

There is also evidence that hrt protects against bowel cancer.

Trying to gauge risks against benefits is so difficult and I think if anything happens we will always blame the hrt but will never really know. X

Agreed. I had my hysterectomy as I also needed extensive repairs done. I had cystocele, rectocele and mid vaginal vault prolapse, so it was a simple choice in the end. I have a fully functional vagina now and no periods or pain, etc... It literally changed my life.

They actually do know the risks of HRT and should inform patients that it is comes with significant risk for some women.

[yellowflower]

I had mid vaginal vault prolapse, stage 1 rectocele and stage 2 cystocele. Estrogen will not fix prolapses, it may stabilise the vaginal vault prolapse, but it was already too advanced for that.

I was also under the care of a neurologist as my migraines were hormonal. They used to occur day 1 and mid cycle. I was not allowed to take the pill when I was younger and I am not supposed to take any HRT now.

It's  a little bit disappointing that so many women are being lied to about the risks of HRT. I know that is a strong word, but none of my doctors would outright state it was safe, instead I got leaflets that completely deterred me. Maybe we take a more conservative approach here.

Anyway, I had all the prolapses repaired at the time of my hysterectomy and life has improved dramatically. Thankfully I have very few symptoms going into menopause and I hope to be like my mother who had a fairly seamless transition.

[Wilks]

Although you shouldn't take the contraceptive pill if you suffer from migraine, the dose of oestrogen in HRT is a fraction of that and HRT isn't contraindicated in menopause. I suffer from migraine and I take HRT.

No doctor should ever tell you that any medicine, herbal remedy, or supplement is completely “safe”. All of them have benefits and risks.

Anyway, I'm not trying to persuade anyone to take or not take HRT. It's a personal choice.

[yellowflower]

Although you shouldn't take the contraceptive pill if you suffer from migraine, the dose of oestrogen in HRT is a fraction of that and HRT isn't contraindicated in menopause. I suffer from migraine and I take HRT.

No doctor should ever tell you that any medicine, herbal remedy, or supplement is completely “safe”. All of them have benefits and risks.

Anyway, I'm not trying to persuade anyone to take or not take HRT. It's a personal choice.

Yes. I totally respect your opinion on that. I have always erred on the side of caution. My migraines were affected by the rise and fall of hormones during the menstrual cycle. My neurologist told me that hormonal migraines are the hardest to treat and I spent 5 years on Topamax as a result until I started getting some very serious symptoms from it. Now I take Relpax as required as tracking the hormonal changes that happen now due to the transition to menopause is just about impossible. After the birth of my son 26 years ago, I asked to go back on the pill and was told absolutely not due to my migraine status, so I opted to have a non hormonal IUD put in.

When I started getting some issues related to my prolapses about 10 years ago, it was suggested that I use an estrogen cream to help stabilise it a little bit. We didn't know at the time that I also had cystocele and rectocele. My GP was an older lady who dealt with many women with similar issues. I asked her outright if the estrogen cream had side effects and was safe. She refused to endorse it as safe and simply handed me a leaflet that scared the bejeesus out of me. Funnily enough, she also said that "women require estrogen". It was a strange and contradictory message.

I try to look upon menopause as a natural transition. I have always maintained a healthy weight and try as much as possible to eat healthy foods and walk my 6000 + steps each day. I am not a huge believer in vitamins as I think they just give you very expensive urine. I guess I am lucky so far that I seem to be doing pretty well, although I am currently going through the process of working out why 8% of my heart beats are ectopic. My doctor has told me quite firmly that menopause plays no part in this, but I am not fully convinced. It's not dangerous apparently, but I still need to have an echo done and I get some blood test results today.

 

[Wilks]

yellowflower- I tried Topamax for migraine for several months but it made me feel extremely depressed. It's a huge struggle keeping migraine under control sometimes :-(

[yellowflower]

yellowflower- I tried Topamax for migraine for several months but it made me feel extremely depressed. It's a huge struggle keeping migraine under control sometimes :-(

Once I got past the first 3 months, I loved Topamax. It saved my life in many ways, but I did struggle with finding words at times which is a known side effect. I would still be on it, except it caused tremors and eye twitching after 5 years!!! I really hate taking Relpax and hope when my menopause transition settles, my migraines go away.